Authorities in northern Italy are scouring the Dolomites in a frantic search for two missing Brits after the duo failed to board their flight back to the UK. Aziz Ziriat, 36, and Samuel Harris, 35, from London, last contacted their families at 2:20pm on January 1 while hiking in the picturesque mountain range.
They were expected to return on January 6, but alarm bells rang when they didn’t catch their flight. Their last reported position was near Casina Dosson hut by Tione Di Trento close to Rival Del Garda on Lake Garda.
It’s noted as uncommon for hikers to vanish during this period, sparking concern among search teams which include Alpine Rescue, Guardia di Finanza, Carabinieri and local firefighters. However, efforts have been hampered by harsh weather and recent snow, as per Il Dolomiti’s reports.
In a bid to expand the search, Crystal Palace Football Club—Aziz Ziriat’s employer—pleaded on social media: “Crystal Palace urges supporters to share any information they might have to help locate Palace for Life Foundation staff member Aziz Ziriat, and his friend Sam Harris, who have been missing since 1st January whilst hiking in the Dolomites mountains in northeastern Italy.”
“The two were last heard from at 14:20 on Wednesday, 1st January, and they were believed to be near a hut called Casina Dosson – near the town Tione Di Trento, near Riva Del Garda, on Lake Garda. We are appealing for anyone familiar with the area, who can provide assistance or information, to get in touch. If you know the area and can help, please dial 999 and reference CAD 0197/07 Jan25,” reports The Mirror.
The football club also shared descriptions of the two men and an image of the route they were possibly following when they disappeared. Mr Ziriat, who is described as being 6’3, went to the University of Brighton, while Mr Harris who is 5’11, was a student at Oxford Brookes.
Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI and a friend of the missing men, also shared an appeal on LinkedIn as the search continues. He wrote: “Hi everyone, I urgently need your help! Two of my friends have gone missing whilst hiking in the Dolomites. They are both 35 and have been missing since 1st January while hiking in the snow.
“We know they were near Casina Dosson Tione Di Trento, near Rival Del Garda, on Lake Garda, and possibly this route (see image attached). We urgently need help locating them. If you have experience with mountain rescue or know people who might be able to help please dm me asap. Thank you!”